[The Mackalls of Dunnet Head 01.0] Her Trusted Highlander

by Jennae Vale

  “There ye be, brother,” Duncan called as Nick hit the bottom of the stairs. “Tell us of yer adventures. Where did ye go the day the three of us were hunting?”

  The others had gathered around and Nick wasn’t so sure he wanted to tell them the truth. They’d surely think him tetched in the head. “More whiskey,” he requested, stalling for time.

  “Rory, see to it,” Duncan ordered. Duncan was a year younger than Nick and Rory was next. Lockie and Aidan were the last of the boys and then Isla and Merry were born. The Mackall clan kept his mother busy throughout their childhoods. Their father died shortly after the last sister was born, but Lettie Mackall managed to raise her family and keep the rest of the clan together despite the fact she was a woman, and it was unusual for anyone other than a man to be in charge. She had only handed the reins over to Nick a month before he went missing and apparently Duncan had filled the position when Nick hadn’t returned.

  “I was thinking I’d tell ye about it later when everyone was present, perhaps at the feast.”

  “Ye can tell it again. Curiosity has gotten the better of us. Tell us,” Duncan urged.

  Gathering his thoughts and accepting the whiskey his younger brother brought him, Nick settled himself in to tell his tale, leaning up against the fireplace mantle. Everyone in the room waited with rapt anticipation. “Well, as ye ken, we were hunting a giant of a stag. Rory and I went our separate ways trying to flush the stag in Duncan’s direction. As I crept through the woods, I came upon a bridge I didn’t recall seeing before and a strange blanket of fog which swirled only in one spot, blocking the entrance to the bridge.” He glanced around him to see if he had everyone’s attention and once he was certain he did, he continued. “The fog was of an unusual sort. I walked nearer and couldn’t help myself. It was as if I were being pulled closer and closer. Eventually I found myself inside of the fog, which was filled with lights of different colors.”

  “Were ye afeared,” old Garbhan asked from his seat by the fire.

  “Nay, I wasnae.” Nick decided to tell his version of the truth. It would be more acceptable to those around him who believed in faeries and the wee folk. “I kept walking, unable to see where I was headed. When I finally came out on the other side of the fog, I was in a wondrous place. ’Twas like nothing I’d ever seen. I tried to hide, but eventually they found me.”

  “Who found ye, Nick?” Lockie asked, his eyes wide with the wonder of it all.

  “The faeries!” Nick glanced around the room, making sure everyone was still with him. “They live in a wondrous land. ’Tis filled with things the likes of which ye’ve never seen.”

  “What did they do when they found ye? Did they make ye their prisoner?” Aidan was on the edge of his seat.

  “Nae. I told them I must return home, but they said it would nae be possible unless I helped them. Ye see they were expecting a battle to occur and they needed my help to teach them how to fight their foes. I wasnae so sure I wanted to do that, but I did want to come home, so I agreed. I worked with them each and every day for quite a long time. At first, they battled their foes, but lost. They needed more work, so I put them through their paces for many months. They fed me and clothed me and gave me a palace to live in all my own. Deciding I needed help, they enticed another from our world to join me and the two of us were better able to lead the faeries in their battle.”

  “Did ye win?”

  “Aye! We did! It was an easy victory and the faeries were so happy that they wanted me to stay with them forever. I reminded them of our bargain and being bound by their own words, they allowed me to come home. And so here I am.” Nick hoped his far-fetched story would suffice. It was true to a certain extent with the exception of the faeries. He omitted the fact that he had time-travelled. Why it was easier for them to accept his tale of the faeries than it was to accept a tale of time-travel, he wasn’t sure. They were familiar with faeries and time-travel was not something he recalled ever hearing about in their folklore. “And now I have one question for me brothers? Did ye get the stag?”

  “We did,” Duncan said. “Although the joy at catching it was short-lived when we realized that you were no longer anywhere to be found. We came home and told Ma that ye’d disappeared. She made us go right back to the place we’d last seen ye to search for ye and we did. Rory, Lockie, Aidan and I all spent many days and nights tirelessly searching, but eventually we gave up. When you rode through the gates today, it was as if in answer to our prayers. We had given up on ever seeing you again and yet, here ye be.”

  “And here I plan to stay.” Nick breathed deeply the familiar scents of his hearth and home. “What of Skye? Did she ever marry?” He hoped she had. The lass surely wouldnae have waited two years for his return.

  “Nay, but she is to wed and soon. Yer being back may change that. Her father wished her to marry ye.”

  “Does she love this man she’s to marry?”

  “Aye. She is verra much in love with him and he with her as I’ve heard. ’Twill be a shame if she cannae marry the man.”

  “Well, we’ll need to be sure she can. I’ve no wish to marry the lass. Truth be told, I didnae wish to marry her before I disappeared to live with the faeries. I only agreed to it because it was good for our clan to be allied with the Maguires ye ken. I’d prefer to marry for love, as our Ma and Da did.”

  * * *

  Kat waited beside the entry to the great hall, listening intently to the crazy story Nick was weaving. He couldn’t possibly be telling the truth, but if he wasn’t, then where had he gone off to? Why would he stay away for two whole years? It couldn’t possibly have been to avoid marriage. He didn’t seem like the type of man who would shirk his responsibilities and she knew full well there were no faeries, so where was he? He had to have a very good reason for not telling his own family his whereabouts. It piqued her curiosity and Kat vowed to find out what the real story was.

  “No need to stand out here, Katriona. Come join the others inside the great hall.” Lettie hooked her arm through Kat’s and led her into the hall. Kat felt much better now that she’d bathed and changed her clothes. She felt more like her old self and perhaps even pretty, in the beautiful sage green dress she’d been given to wear and the fancy braiding Mrs. Mackall had done to her hair. Kat hesitantly stepped into the hall and was met with the stares of every man present, but none of them mattered more to her than Nick Mackall. His was the only head she wished to turn. She had no idea why, but it mattered to her that he gazed at her with admiration and a whistle on his lips.

  “And who is this lovely lass?” Nick strode to her side and gave her an appraising gaze from head to toe. “Ye cannae be the lass I found in the forest on my way back home.”

  Kat blushed under his scrutiny and giggled at his silliness.

  “Nick Mackall, dinnae tease the poor lass. She’s been through a rough time.” As Lettie scolded Nick, she also smiled in obvious joy at having him home.

  “Sorry, Ma and I beg yer pardon, Katriona. Ye look beautiful.” Nick appeared quite apologetic as he gazed down at her with eyes that sparkled with flecks of gold and bronze.

  “It’s okay. I know I was probably a sight when you found me racing through the trees. I feel much better now.” Kat smoothed down the front of her dress to hide her awkwardness.

  “I’m happy to hear it. Ye have nothing to fear here with us. Laird Calhoun willnae ken where ye’ve gone off to and with any luck, never will. But ken this, should he find ye, he’ll have to answer to me for his poor treatment of ye, lass.” From the expression on his face, Kat didn’t doubt that Bearach Calhoun would find himself in a sorry state at the hands of Nick Mackall.

  “Was it Laird Calhoun I jest heard ye mention?” Osgar the village innkeeper asked, eyeing Kat from the corner of his eyes.

  “Aye. He’s a mean bastard. He beat this poor lass after she was forced to marry him,” Nick explained.

  “She’s his wife then?” Osgar had a strange look on his face. One that Kat fo
und a bit disconcerting. It made her almost as uncomfortable as it did being spoken of like she wasn’t even in the room.

  “In name only. Kat lost her family to some highwaymen and was found by a man who gained her trust and then sold her to Calhoun to be his wife.” Nick gazed at Kat with a warm smile on his lips. It was as if he was saying he understood her discomfort at all this attention.

  The man shook his head in understanding and said no more, but Kat was now nervous nonetheless.

  * * *

  The Mackalls were a warm and loving family and to celebrate Nick’s return, they planned a celebration in his honor to take place in two weeks time. Messengers were sent to the village and to their neighbors, inviting all to come for a great feast. The castle was spotlessly cleaned from top to bottom and preparations were made in the kitchen. The hall would be overflowing with ale and whiskey when the time came.

  Nick made sure that Kat felt included in all the preparations. She helped Lettie and his sisters without complaint. It was as if she were a member of the family. She fit right in with them all and before long she was taking part in the good natured teasing that the Mackalls enjoyed with each other. Nick couldn’t seem to stop himself from glancing in her direction whenever she was nearby and he also couldn’t help but seek her company when he’d gone more than a few short hours without seeing her. He felt himself growing quite fond of her and even pictured himself with her by his side, raising a family of wee ones here at Castle Dunaill.

  Despite her good nature, Kat was obviously worried about the feast. “Nick, I’m afraid. What if Bearach finds out where I am and comes after me?” The quivering of her voice told Nick exactly how concerned she really was.

  “That willnae happen, lass. And if by some strange chance it did, ye’ve the entire Mackall clan here to protect ye. Calhoun would have to come here with an entire army and even then he’d never stand a chance. Dinnae fear, not a soul here would betray ye.” He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and drew her in to his embrace. She went willingly, even snaking her own arms around his waist. He planted a kiss on the top of her head and then set her away from him so he could look her in the eye. “I promised ye before and I promise ye now. I’ll nae allow any harm to come to ye, Kat. Do ye believe me?”

  “I do.” Kat nodded her head and smiled up at him. Her emerald green eyes sparkled brightly while Nick felt himself falling under their spell.

  Nick found himself spending more and more time with Kat. He sought out any time alone with her he could get, escorting her on walks around the castle whenever possible. Their connection to each other was growing. He only hoped nothing would stand in the way of him making her his.

  * * *

  On one of their daily walks, Kat brought up the subject of the faeries. “Nick, the other day, I heard you telling your clan about being transported to the land of the faeries.” She stopped and looked up at him, gauging his response. “That can’t possibly be true. Where were you really?”

  “Do ye nae believe in faeries, Katriona? I’m surprised at ye, a good Scottish lass born and raised and ye doubt their existence.” Nick teased her, and Kat knew it was his way of trying to avoid the subject.

  Kat laughed. “You know there’s no such thing. Where were you?” There was no way she was going to give up.

  “I’m afraid I cannae divulge that information, lass.”

  “And why not?” She tipped her head and gazed at him with mischief in her eyes.

  “’Tis a secret.” Nick couldn’t possibly imagine that would work.

  “A secret?” Two can play this game.

  “Aye, a secret.” He said it again, as if that would be the end of it.

  “Are you sure you don’t wish to share it with me?”

  “Aye. I cannae give away all my confidences now can I?” He began to walk again, but Kat put out a hand to stop him.

  “You’re hiding something, I can tell.” She narrowed her eyes and searched his face.

  “Mayhap ’tis because ye, yerself are hiding something?” He paused a moment, waiting for her to answer. “Would ye care to tell me the true story of how ye came to find yerself the prisoner and wife of Laird Calhoun?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t divulge that information, sir.” It was Kat’s turn to walk away, as Nick hurried to catch up with her.

  “And why nae?” he asked.

  “Because of the whole faerie thing.” Kat hoped she could swing the conversation back to his secret.

  “What do ye mean, blaming the faeries! What do they have to do with it?” Nick appeared confused.

  “Nothing.” Kat tried in vain to hide her giggle.

  “Nothing. Is that all ye have to say fer yerself, lass?” Nick’s smile told her he was enjoying their banter.

  “Aye. I can’t give away all my secrets now can I?”

  “Ye’ve got me there.” Nick laughed and poked her side.

  Kat shrieked in mock dismay and then ran as fast as her feet would carry her. She had no idea where she was running, but at first it was fun that Nick was chasing her. He caught her fairly quickly. He did have an advantage after all. He was so tall and had those long legs. His strides were twice as long as her. He grabbed her around the waist and began to tickle her. Kat couldn’t help it, but her gut reaction was to get away from him. Thoughts of the torment of her wedding night ran unbidden through her head and instead of seeing Nick, she saw Laird Calhoun. She struck out at him and Nick, looking quite shocked, grabbed her hand before the blow landed on his handsome face.

  “I’m only playing with ye, lass. There’s no need to strike me. Just tell me to stop and I will.” Her hand was engulfed in his much larger one and he held on to it, despite the fact she tried to pull it away.

  “I’m sorry.” Unwanted tears made an appearance in her eyes and she gazed down at the ground to hide them from Nick. “I forgot it was you who had grabbed me.”

  Nick pulled her into his arms and she buried her face in his chest. “The only thing I could think of was Laird Calhoun and that I had to get away from him. I’m so sorry.”

  “Lass, there’s nae need for apologies, although I believe I’ll be needing a dry shirt when yer done with all yer crying.”

  This last comment made Kat giggle. She raised her tear stained face to see Nick’s warm smile beaming at her. How could she possibly think that this man would ever do anything to hurt her? He was no Laird Calhoun. Could never be.

  “Now, shall we continue our walk and I promise I willnae chase ye anymore?”

  “Good. That means I can run away from you without worry,” she teased.

  “Shall we continue our walk?” Nick repeated.

  Kat nodded her assent.

  “I’ve an idea. Would ye care to go to the village, perhaps an afternoon away from the castle would be to yer liking.”

  “I’d love that!” As soon as she said it, she began to worry. “But what if we see someone there who knows Laird Calhoun. I think I should stay here.”

  “Nonsense. I dinnae believe ye’ll see anyone ye know at our little village. I’ll be with ye and no one will bother ye. But if ye’d rather stay here than go to see the shops with me, then so be it.” The serious expression on his face belied the fact that he was obviously having some fun at her expense.

  “Shops!” Katriona hadn’t been shopping in ages. Not since months before she accidentally found herself in the sixteenth century. She really did want to go and she could trust Nick, couldn’t she? “All right. I’ll go.”

  Nick smiled triumphantly. “I ken the way to a lassie’s heart now, dinnae I?”

  Chapter 8

  “Nick is taking me to the village to see the shops.” Kat shared the news with Nick’s sisters. They were total opposites, but each of them had qualities that Kat enjoyed. She hadn’t had many friends growing up. She never stayed in one place for very long and the children she did come across could be quite cruel. They teased her relentlessly about being an orphan and in long term foster care. Isla
and Merry knew nothing about her life before they met her and they were very welcoming. They felt like sisters, or so Kat imagined and she wondered how they’d feel if they knew the truth about her.

  “I believe me brother fancies ye,” Isla said. She was busy folding clothing that had been hung to dry.

  “I don’t think so.” Kat couldn’t believe Nick would be attracted to her, even though she herself was undeniably drawn to him.

  “Kat, ye fancy him, dinnae ye!” Merry’s eyes went wide with the realization. “Ye do. Why else would ye be turning so red?”

  Kat wished there was a hole she could crawl into. This was not a subject she wished to discuss with Nick’s sisters.

  “Leave her be, Merry. Cannae ye see she doesnae wish to speak of it.” Isla finished the folding and took Kat’s hand. “No matter what ye think ye ken, lass, I know me brother. I can see the way his eyes follow you around the room and the way he smiles when yer near him.

  Kat wished with all her heart for it to be true, but how could it be? They’d only known each other a brief time and had met under the most unfortunate of circumstances. His only interest was in protecting her, and her only interest was in returning to her own time. She couldn’t possibly get involved with Nick, but was it already too late.

  * * *

  It was market day and the village was bustling with people shopping for essentials and just out to visit with each other. This was a social event for most and they wouldn’t miss it for the world. Nick guided Kat through the center of the village and they made a few stops at shops selling all sorts of finery. He could see Katriona was mesmerized by it all and decided then and there that he would purchase a small trinket or two in remembrance of their day together. Their first stop was a dress shop. Nick was enjoying the look of wonder on Kat’s face as she held first one and then another of the dresses up to herself.